Guide to delaying a school start date

If your request to delay your child’s admission is refused, there is no right of appeal against the decision. You can make a complaint, following the school’s published complaints procedure (or the Local Authority’s complaints procedure in the case of community and voluntary-controlled schools).

If you are unhappy with the way your complaint has been handled, you can contact the Local Government Ombudsman in the case of complaints to the Local Authority and the Secretary of State in the case of complaints to schools.

If your child has a Statement of SEN and a request for placement out of year group via the annual review process has been refused, you will receive a letter giving you a right to appeal to the SEN Tribunal.

If your child or young person has an EHC Plan and a request for placement out of year group via the annual review process has been refused, you (or your young person) will receive a letter giving you (or your young person) a right to appeal to the SEN Tribunal.